When I decided to start this blog, a year ago, it was in part because I thought that the Rule of Rose game was in danger of being forever underestimated. And that thought made me sad.
Again and again I would read posts on forums from players who claimed that it all became clear to them once they made it to the final (“Once Upon A Time”) chapter.
Well, I doubted that.
I felt that players were overlooking the mysteries that remained after the game was completed. And I felt that there must be clues to these mysteries hidden throughout the game.
I had faith that author(s) of the game had provided the clues needed to solve the remaining mysteries. And felt that they wanted us to probe more deeply into the story. Indeed, that they would be sad if we did not. Because their hard work and cleverness would go unappreciated.
It was up to us to put in the work, find the clues, and fit them together. And only then could the game truly be appreciated for what the author(s) had made it.
Plus, I wanted to know the answers myself to the mysteries of the story that troubled my own mind.
So this blog has documented my quest to explore the mysteries of Rule of Rose.
A year’s work later, mysteries are still unsolved.
Maybe some will remain forever unsolved.
But I hope that my efforts have at least helped Rule of Rose to be better appreciated than it would have been had I not done this blog.
I think that Rule of Rose is a work of literary art. And has value as art, despite its bad reputation (which I believe to be undeserved).
And I think that it is not a waste of time for one to invest time into thinking about the story, any more than it is a waste of time to study other literary works of art.
Like other literary works, Rule of Rose makes use of symbolism, literary allusion, foreshadowing, and scenes that touch people’s emotions powerfully.
It has important themes.
Does the fact that Rule of Rose is a game, and not a novel or a film, mean that it must be dismissed as frivolous or unimportant? I don’t think so.
I think that the makers of Rule of Rose wanted to try to make a game that could stand up as literature.
But it is for the players, such as yourself, to judge if the makers of Rule of Rose have succeeded.
~
I’ve enjoyed reading your comments and had fun writing to you.
I’ve tried never to come across as an authority whose statements about the game must be taken as gospel. I would rather stimulate players of the game to think for themselves and to take the clues found in the game seriously.
Believe it or not, I’m pleased when somebody can use good evidence, or good reasoning, to correct me. I’d rather BECOME correct by being corrected by somebody, than to have everybody THINK I am always correct, but remain wrong.
I hope you have enjoyed coming here and found something of value in my humble efforts to play literary detective.
Thank you all.
Entries (RSS)
By the way, I count 4388 comments made since this blog began. An average of more than 12 comments per day for the year.
Unfortunately, I don’t know how to accurately weed out just my own comments from that number—anyone who used “PokerNemesis” in a comment would come up mixed into any comments search—but even with all of the comments by others that mention “PokerNemesis” pulled out of the count, there are more than 3000 comments that have definitely been made on this site by people other than myself.
Thanks for all the participation!
i know this has nothing to do with the game but please allow me to post this. but i remember when my bro got this game he came vacationing to where we live and we played this game everyday at night.he loves horror survival games and i just want to thank the creators for making a wonderful game.
PokerNemesis, your blog certainly has given me plenty of things to think about when re-playing RoR. So much can be missed, but when reading/hearing others theories it makes the experiance all the more entertaining and thought provoking.
Who knows, one day the characters and stories in some video games, such as RoR, will finally be taken seriously like movies and novels. RoR is a good example of a game that in its own right is art. Of course not in the ‘traditional’ sense. lol
Oh, and congrats on the anniversary.
If it is worth something when said by me, this blog is awesome, as is the videogame!
There is so much to the plot of the videogame, so much more than I thought indeed, because when I bought it after reading the reviews on videogames- magazines I believed it was just another exploration/fighting survival horror with some fascinating characters…
It was also very nice finding people interested in discussing the many aspects of the game, and willing to respect the others’ opinions… people who would replay to find any clue they could have missed, and think about the ones they found with such attention.
I never felt this way since my friends started thinking they were too grown up to play survival horrors with me (and watch me panicking every time I think I’ll have to fight)!
I hope I will see the day when I can play videogames, watch cartoons and read comic books without being looked down on… (um, will I be really old then?).
But it isn’t so important, as long as there are other people who anderstand these can be forms of art worth discussing (and admiring) as well.
Wow, a year?
*agrees with everyone else*
I haven’t posted many comments at all but I would just like to say thanks PokerNemesis for helping me to understand this game sooooo much better and for giving some realistic theories to the mysteries that have plagued us all! Also thanks for giving me something interesting to read every time I’m online!
I believe that Rule of Rose has succeeded. Congraulations on your first year, PokerNemesis *hugs* Thank you so much for introducing me to and thinking about such a great game, I love it. We’ll blog with you forever, you know?
Please, keep on unmystifying the mysteries
-Kara
Uh, Ditto?
I love the game, and I would not have even have thought of thinking of what you come up with. Kudos!
^_^- I first started posting on March 18th.
It’s good to be here still. And it’s good you are not bored with us.
And…
Thanks for not being the RoR police. ^_^- It’s nice to be able to through out spacey ideas without being criticized.
Forgotten Princess, I know how you feel when it comes to watching cartoons and playing video games. I’m 23, still love cartoons, and video games, and I don’t ever plan on changing.
Why allow ourselves to completely grow up? 
I have to admit I love how everyone throws in their theories and don’t insult others when someone comes up with something different. There are some horrible forums out there, but I’m glad there are some sites that show respect to each other.
Yeah… vv() I’ve found a few forums with nice theories… but the instant you challenge them… all hell breaks loose and you get Theory-nazi-tongue-lashed-of-doom. vv() Especially certain Silent Hill sites… that’s why I’m kinda addicted here. ^_^- I’m strange. I’ll say stuff just to say it. Sometimes it means something. Sometimes is just me talking. But sometimes it’s something that helps. When that happens, it makes the humilation of being wrong worth it.
And yeah… I don’t plan to grow up anytime soon. ^_^- I love videogames and cartoons (not just anime. Ever heard of Sonic Sat AM? ^___^- I own the entire series on DVD.
Jealous much? Also… I have fond memories of My Little Ponies. ^^- I was a fan/collector for a long time.)
I think if you aren’t in touch with your inner child you’re actually a very sad person. I know I would be.
I agree with Masq about being in touch with your inner child. But I have a few thoughts of my own about this game and what it represents.
Aside from all of the controversy about child sexuality some people don’t even give the game a chance before condemning it. I had a fit during my post in the tenth month-ivesary (I hope I spelled it right). In fact, I blew my top and stand by EVERYTHING that I said! Some people took one look at the game and branded it with a scarlet letter. Okay, folks, this isn’t Salem, Massachusetts and we aren’t living during the Witch Trials and aren’t we taught as Americans that a person is innocent until proven to be guilty? The same goes for this game, if those who bash the game would look beyond the slight suggestions made and viewed the qualities of the game the whole deal would vanish into the realm of the forgotten. Only those who can’t get past their preconceptions of the game are fueling the fire. I wonder how many of these folks have actaully ever seen the game played to see that we aren’t seeing children being abused. THe most abuse that we really see is Jennifer being placed in the onion bag or being tied to a post twice. GET OVER IT!!!! Find something else to bitch about because it’s getting really old.
I guess if the critics can answer one of these questions yes then I too would condemn the game. Here we go, are you ready?
Do we ever see ACTUAL sexual contact between a child and adult? Between any two people at all?
Do we ever see ACTUAL abuse of a child?
DO we ever see ACTUAL child nudity (you know genitals, breasts) because you can see more butt crack just walking down the street and waiting for someone to bend over or squat down?
Do we ever hear any ACTUAL sexual content in the language used by the characters?
DO we ever see any character representing a child being physically assaulted by an adult? At all (other than the fight between Wendy and Jennifer)?
Gee, I guess that I’ll wait for someone to answer to the affirmative. When you do, however, make sure that you have concrete evidence to support your claim!
You’re going to basically have to walk on water to make me believe you. As a survivor of child sexual abuse, the game would be impossible for me to play if it actually showed any of the above. Let’s not forget the fact that I’m sure the makers of the PS2 wouldn’t have allowed a game with ANY of these concepts to be sponsered as playable on their system. I really doubt that Atlus would have even published a game containing child sexual conduct owing to the legal ramifications involved, they’re in it to make money, not to face Federal prosecution for portraying child pornography.
OK, down off of the soap box. PN, I want to thank you for creating and running this blog. It give those of us who love the game a place to gather to post our theories about the game. You are a great friend and I wanted to thank you again for the support you have shown me while my Dad is recovering from the heart attack and stroke. Masq, same to you. Thanks again for your kind words.
This will be my last post from Iowa for a while as I’m preparing to head back for New York and school.
Thanks
^^()
Oh… By the way… on the subject of the children being taken advantage of…
There was a theory before about Clara being hunched over because of her surgery and it’s healing and about the Mermaid Princess book and “Suddenly becoming old.”
My mother just had a hysterectomy Monday. Her cuts are in the same areas that Clara’s would be if she’d had an abortion. (AKA Hoffman with a kitchen knife… vv())
Mom does drag her feet and stays hunched over. She doesn’t move very fast now. It’s possible that that theory is acceptable. Althougth we dont’ use the old methods of going in and taking things out, back then the cuts would still have to be in the same relative areas. (mom has three more cuts than they said she would though…)
Anyway… ^^() I hadn’t meant to upset anyone or open up a wound with my last post. Well ok… that’s not true… but I don’t think it was aimed at anyone I’ve seen post currently on this site. (What? I’m human too…)
And besides, I don’t think anyone on this site currently sees the game as child pornography. I could be wrong but I dont’ think I am. I’ve yet to see a recent theory saying that it is such.
But it’s nice to hear from you again, LOD. ^_^-
Heh… you’re just north of me…
Kerri in MO
My Little Ponies? I used to collect them as a kid.
Mum’s still got all of them boxed away (that was a loooooot of ponies 
). But I agree. People who can’t stay in touch with their inner child are kind of sad. Especially when they tell others to grow up. 
Back to RoR though; from what I’ve read about the controversy most of the people against the game haven’t played it, haven’t seen it, and aren’t even gamers. Their information on the contents is second or third hand, often told to them by someone with equally small minded opinions on video games.
I don’t know about many other people, but I try not to form an opinion on something until I have more reliable information.
Oh, by the way, I’m in Australia, and because the game was banned here *rolls eyes* I had to import a french copy (only PAL version I could find).
Personally I haven’t found anything that could warrant a ban. But then again you all know that already. lol
Rule of Rose is a great game, one of my favorites games of all time in fact, its right up there with Silent Hill 2 in my book. Rule of Rose in no way deservers all the flack its gotten around the world from all the small minded fools that I’m quite sure have never even played a single game in their entire lives. If they had just bothered to play the game they would see how wrong their assumptions about it are. Sadly this will never happen. Such people don’t care for the truth, only for the version of it that fits their needs. These people have clamed everything from calling the game child porn to a glorification of bullying and violence agents children. Nothing could be further form the truth. If anything Rule of Rose shows just how much pain and suffering such acts can cause and that such childhood traumas don’t just go away over time. It hammers home the point again and again that the victim caries the pain and emotional scares with them for years to come. As far as I’m concerned the only real travesty surrounding this game is that millions of people around the world have been forever deprived of the chance to play it, never even given a choice to decided for themselves if they would want to play it or if they would find it offensive.
Cherrona says:
Same. I’m in the UK and had to import a french copy too xD
And yes, I don’t see anything that makes it worthy of a ban either.
An anniversary… *sparkles of happiness*
I still feel bad though for not being able to contribute much for uncovering the Rule of Rose Mysteries. I sure wish I could help if only I had a PS2 and the game. And I feel bad too for the game’s unworthy reputation. (HEY PRESS, THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU’VE DONE!! YOU’VE JUDGED A GOOD GAME WITH YOUR… VAGUE JUDGEMENT. I’M MAD AT YOU, UURRRGGHHHHH!! REVIEW THIS GAME AND THINK ABOUT IT!!)
Nomnomnom… got fired up. Sorry. (If my rambling above annoyed you, sorry for doing so…)
But hey, PokerNemesis’ act of looking for clues and coming up with theories made me (and hopefully everyone) see that there are a lot of things and works around the world that shouldn’t be taken and be judged because of its obvious factors only. We should see beyond and deep into it to find its true intention and meaning.
The mysterious Rule of Rose game had made me inspired to go figurative, creative and enigmatic with my works too!
I remember PokerNemesis’ first post: The Unluckiest of Days. (but correct me if I’m wrong…)
Curious Aristocrat wrote:
Well… since you invite the correction, I’ll go ahead and do so.
“The Unluckiest of Days” was my blog-post of November 10, 2007.
My actual first blog-post was the blog-post of Oct 1, 2007 “The Sick Bay Drawer Mystery”.
Thinking about first posts, I’ll say that some of them were just re-writes from posts that I had previously made on the Gamespot/GameFAQs forum.
Posts on that forum disappear after awhile if enough new topics come to push a topic down from the top.
Various other members of that forum got frustrated by that happening to my posts and nag nag nagged me to create a place where my posts would be preserved.
I was quite reluctant to do so.
I had never had my own website before (about anything). And I didn’t want to be writing articles that nobody would show up to read.
The reason I use PokerNemesis on this blog (a totally non-RuleofRose-ish name) is only because I thought it would help me get start-up readers if I maintained continuity with the GameSpot/GameFAQs forum and used my posting name from there. If a few readers from that forum would visit here, based on liking my posts there, then at least I wouldn’t be writing to a completely empty void.
But if people on that forum hadn’t nag nag nagged me to set up my own site, I’m absolutely certain that I never would have.
My counter says this was the 194th blog-post. (See above for the total number of comments.)
I didn’t realize I was averaging better than a blog-post every other day.
*sigh* It must be a bit overwhelming to newcomers to face so many blog-posts.
I wonder if anybody has read them all.
It must truly be daunting if someone tries to read all of the comments too!
I’ve read every single post on here – which sounds really creepy XD
I started coming here in about january I think, so I felt obliged to go back and read allllll the posts from the start – I originally started reading all the comments as well but there were just too many! ^_^
HerRatness wrote:
Yay! *dances a jig*
^_^- I haven’t read your first ones yet because I haven’t really found a place where they’re all listed… ^^() Basically I just have to go back by month… which… :sigh: It seems kind of daunting… it’s easier to type in a few keywords and look up what I need… ^^() Maybe someday I’ll make a library listing for you and post it on your tools so people can find what they need in a hurry. XDDD
XD when I first started lurking, it was in June or July, so I read every blog post before I actually joined the site in September XD All of your posts are very interesting, I think you should really expect it, Poker
Congrats again!
-Kara
Hey PN, I have some funny news for you xDDD
I’m in backstage for the drama club in my school, and we’re doing the play “42nd Street” (which is set in the ’30s)
Anyway, I was in charge of doing the background (which is a Broadway street full of posters of famous musicals)
and…well, I couldn’t help myself, and since I live in Argentina and no one has a CLUE what it could ever mean…I painted on one of the biger posters a gigantic Rose, and the title says “Rule of Rose: in theatre’s now!”
If anyone asked, I would just say I made it up xDDD
MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA *cackle*
I’ll take a photo sometime xD
On another note, THANK YOU PN! Thank you for creating this blog and posting your ideas while letting us post our OWN theories (no matter how far-fetched or misspelled they are!)
You seriously rekindled the old obsession I have for this game, and that’s why I’m still watching the water-drenching over and over again xDD (my family is beggining to suspect something is wrong with my sanity xD)
Anyway, continue with the awsome theories! We support you!
Ely
elyonum wrote:
Please do!
Thank you for everything. It helps to not feel so lonely having a place like this. And I love figuring out mysteries (or attempting to). HeH.
I’m working on it! ^_^ I’m on June 3rd right now. Reading every comment too! *nods*
But anyways… happy anniversary! Rule of Rose IS art, and it deserves all the theorizing and such that it has recieved here. It’s certainly inspired me! ^_^
Hi Everyone,
I guess I was wrong, I’m still in Iowa. My flight was canceled and I have to wait until tomorrow to leave.
Masq, please don’t get me wrong. My comments were aimed at the folks who have slammed this game that we ALL love so much. I never intended to even suggest that the faithful readers and commenters believed that this was in any way child porn. I was kind of shooting in the dark in case one of the detractors of the game was reading and wanted to respond. Evidently, none were and I apologize if I offended anyone. I kind of used a butcher knife when a scapel would have been a better choice. Sorry!
RuleofEleanor, you have it exactly correct. The pain of abuse lasts FOREVER!!! I was five when I was abused and am 21 now. I can still vividly remember the day I was abused by a “family friend”. I guess this is what sometimes urges me to lash out for no reason. The rage never goes away, it just lies under the surface and waits to emerge, often at the most inopportune times. Some say that therapy helps and I’ve been to therapists repeatedly, but the memories live on. My Dad caught me (I was 16) one time preparing to hang myself when things got beyond my control. I’ve NEVER seen my father so hurt and helpless in my life. Only the fact that he loves me intensely and that we are all that the other has stopped me! We BOTH cried in each other’s arms for hours. Both of us sat for hours in therapy sessions after that. The incident made me stronger when I realized that by killing myself I would have hurt my father seriously and empowered my attacker. We really don’t speak about the incident and Dad will probably be angry with me for opening up to strangers. But I needed to get it off of my chest.
Daddy is doing GREAT!! They got him out of bed to walk around and he has been enjoying the freedom to get out of his hospital room. He hopes to be released soon so he can come home. He’ll have a home health aide looking in on him as well as my Grandparents who live only minutes away. He also is going to have one of the Life Alert devices that calls for help if he can’t.
Next time I talk to you I WILL be in New York! Daddy has made it very clear that he wants me back in school. He’s going to be fine!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks again for listening and being non-judgemental.
Kim
Hi Gang!
Well, another boring night here in the hospital! One bright spot is that I’m starting to see light at the end of the tunnel (NO! Not that light!!) and should soon be home to start getting back to normal (whatever that is).
I’ve shipped the kid back to New York and she called me today to check on me. She’s getting back into the swing of classes and life in the big city. I don’t know what I would have done without her being here. Okay, I admitted it, Kim, maybe I was too hard on you for being here.
I was a little upset with her for opening up and telling others what we rarely speak about. It was a dark time in both of our lives and we’ve both tried to get over it. I think that she’s a little ashamed of it and that’s why she hasn’t been posting. Could anyone give her a little encouragement? Masq, I know she values your opinion and you probably could bring her out of it. You too, PN.
Hey, Masq! You know your comment about a person’s inner child, well I guess mine has come out in building the doll house. Strange that a guy would choose this as a pasttime, but then I’m also addicted to the old 1970’s Land of the Lost T.V. series. I don’t know how many times I’ve watched the DVDs and still am fascinated by them.
Are you ready to resume our debates, Masq? I’ve been watching your comments and as soon as I find something that sparks my interest I’ll be responding.
Lost Orphan wrote:
LOL! I see your sense of humor has fully recovered!
~
Lost Orphan wrote:
Are you sure that is the issue? I would think that a very common reason that someone might be reluctant to post on this site regarding theories of the game would concern all of the material posted here already that one might feel the need to absorb before feeling up to speed.
I don’t expect people to read everything before making a comment, but they should feel O.K. about getting a response that may mainly consist of a link to a blog-post that has already addressed the issue (I don’t mind this, BTW, as it helps other readers navigate the site).
Also, one must be somewhat detached from the fear of being shown to be mistaken about something. Comment-writers who have been here a while, and have used the “Important Resources” to fortify their knowledge, have likely become very well informed about the game. Any mistakes made in a comment will likely be pointed out by someone. But it is, I think, nonetheless a very friendly site and this sort of gentle correction just helps us all, ultimately, to form theories that are better and better because the “building-materials” are sound. And the focus here is really mostly just on the game itself rather than other issues. I think that is what most comment-makers are focusing on: Rule of Rose itself.
But if there is an issue of embarrassment, I can delete whatever past comments may be regretted.
Continued from above…
As far as my own reaction to what the two of you have spoken of…
I have read nothing that has led me to form a negative opinion of either of you.
It has been, for me, a rather touching insight into a father/daughter relationship in which there is obviously much genuine love one for the other.
Hi PN,
I’ll let her decide if she wants her posts deleted. I spoke to her this a.m. and she (I think) is just reaching a crash from the emotions she experienced during my sudden illness. She’s a wonderful person that has been through HELL in the 21 short years of her life. Despite this she has done the oppposite of what some would have. Some might have used the misfortune as an excuse to be a problem for those around them. She has used it to be a better person.
I could tell in her voice that really she has reached the point where she is the one who needs some TLC. I spoke to the counsleor at her school and asked that she be spoken to before she ends up in a hospital bed.
I guess what upset her was the possible thought that she had said something that offended people (the discussion about child porn that Masq alluded to). She is really afraid that she has offended Masq. Masq, if you are reading this, please respond to her. She has considered dropping from the forum because she believes that she has highly offended you.
My debating abilities are returning and soon I intend to begin posting again.
Thanks,
Lost Orphan
Lost Orphan wrote (about Lost Orphan’s Daughter):
That doesn’t seem to be a fear with much basis considering that Masq revealed her first name in her most recent reply to LOD (see comment #13 above):
I fail to see any evidence, in these last lines, of Masq being offended. Seems more like Masq is opening up to a friendship.
^^() Sorry I’ve been MIA…
…This weekend has been a nightmare…
Saturday I was pulled to help with a birthday party for my little cousin (he’s one year old now) and ended up doing face painting for all the kids but one and he didn’t want it because he didn’t like the picuture I had. ^^() Then I ended up cutting the birthday boy’s hair. (His mom loves it.)
…I guess… I’ve been kind of wearing my normal mask… ^^() See… I’m actually a studying cosmetologist… but it’s not a stupid field! You have to know most of the basics a doctor or nurse knows! Anatomy, chemistry, microbiology… angles, design decisions… and it’s a feild I have to take classes all the time to keep up… and I’ve taken college literature courses… but… college… just didn’t work out for me… I think it would now that I’ve been to a trade school that resembles 40 hours a week work… but before I just… it was too lax for me. I have motivation issues…
But… the smiles on the kids faces this weekend when I did their face paint and the little girls when I do the parties (Updos and mannicures for young girls parties is fun; makes them feel/look like princesses) it just makes me feel good about what I do…
Anyway… I went up to St. Louis Sunday (after sunday school, of course.) I had to take a state test Monday… I am afraid I didn’t do so well… had a few mishaps… but I won’t know my score for two weeks… I’ve already suffered one kind of failure in my life… I’d prefer not to do it again…
Then last night, when I just wanted to sleep the whole thing off, we get a call from my grandmother that my grandfather is in the hospital. There is apparently water around his heart. He has diabetes and when they checked his blood sugar it was 30. Anything below 80 is bad, so he was horrible…He was so swollen up with water that his legs looked like they were going to burst open… Grandma had been having trouble with him (he fell out of bed) since six oclock yesterday… and she waited until 11:30 to get help!!! So when she called I was already out… then we had to go through 5 hours of pain and labor of waiting to see if he’d stabalize… If she’d gone to bed and left him there he’d be dead today… as it stands they think he’s going to be alright… but they can’t get his blood pressure to stabalize… and he wont’ respond to anyone but grandma… but I guess that’s the alshiemers (I know that’s spelled wrong but I don’t care…).
So there… truth out in the open… I’m scared for my future… and the future of those around me… Only a week ago yesterday my mother went under the knife for surgery for a hysterectomy… they said she had tumors… lots of them… but somethings wrong… the doctors are hiding something and we don’t know what really happened during the surgery… they said at most they’d cut her in one place… even if it was cancer… but she has four holes…
I feel like my head is going to explode…
^^() But yeah… I guess you didn’t need to hear all that… Just know I hold nothing against you… I was just saying so you didn’t think we were against your ideas…
…I’m not very tactful.
Hi everyone,
Sorry if I went a little wacko in my last post. Everything kind of crashed in around me and I kind of started feeling sorry for myself. I’m back in New York sitting in my dorm room feeling lonely. I got back to find that someone that I thought was a friend stabbed me in the back and spread wicked rumors about me. The result of it was the loss of a close friendship and half the dorm floor not speaking to me.
Masq, I feel for you and what’s going on. You have been a friend during the illness of my Dad and I’ll never forget it. I sincerely hope for the best with your Grandpa and Mother. Believe me when I say I understand what you are going through. Both of my grandparents are diabetic so I understand the concern about your Grandpa’s blood sugar level. Grandparents are really special people and we can’t underestimate what they mean to us.
I can’t relate to what you are feeling about your Mother (except for the bout my Dad had) as mine died when I was only a few months old in a car accident. I don’t even remember her. Please accept my hopeful wishes for both of them. I’ll be thinking about them and praying for them everyday.
I guess I’m a little sensitive and dramatic right now, I was just SO afraid I had offended you.
You talked about the inner child and My Little Pony, well, I collected them too. Just about drove Daddy nuts trying to find the newest one sometimes (remember, Dad?). I’ve never given up on my inner child, she’s helped me get this far through college. Speaking of that, I know you’ll do just fine on your test. You just seem like the kind of person who does what they set their mind to.
If you want to talk, just post. I read the new comments everyday and will responds as soon as possible.
Friends,
Kim
There’s a rule about rumors, Kim. Usually it takes between 2 weeks and 6 for a rumor to blow over. 2 if it’s true, 6 if it’s entertaining.
If it’s not true, then don’t pay it any mind. If you get upset, it makes it entertaining. Dealing with peers is much like dealing with two year olds. Often they will cry for no reason. When they throw such tantrums, it’s best to let them cry it out without any interferance. That way, they’ll realize it gets them nothing.
^_^- I think you’ll be ok. Just don’t forget you might be lonely but you’re never really alone.
The drama never stops…
Grandfather died today at 1:13 CST.
They said it was peaceful… I don’t know… Iwas busy taking another state test…
I can’t be on right now…
I’m sorry for your loss, Masq.
I’m so sorry about your Grandpa! Please accept my condolences.
Kim
Masq, I am sorry for your loss. I remember what it was like when my grandfather died. We were very close and it still hurts to this day 25 years later. Just remember that he will always be with you in spirit and thought. That’s why we are given memories, so we can cherish the ones who are no longer with us physically. Remember the good times and guard them more fiercely that you would gold as they are truly your most prized and valuable possessions. Unlike material things, memories NEVER lose value with the passage of time. Thanks for your encouragement for my girl, I told her the same thing that you did.
Well, my big day is almost here. They’re going to release me Monday (barring any stupidity on my part), either I’m well enough to go home or they are tired of my constant griping. I guess I’m going to be under guard as I’ll have a home health aide as well as family members looking in on me from time to time. I also get to wear one of the Life Alert devices.
I’m looking forward to getting home although I don’t know what I’ll do once I get there as my hand is still impaired and I won’t be able to do much on the orphanage. Typing takes forever with just one really functional hand so you can imagine what the fine work on the model will be like. My memory is beginning to return although I still have a lot to recall (I need Jennifer’s slate to jot things down on to remember). I’m hoping once I get home (and in familiar surroundings) I’ll have an easier time remembering the things I need to. I am beginning to believe for sure that the orphanage photos are on the hard drive of my laptop in an encrypted file. It’s been a bitch for my substitute as much of my planning and other essential paperwork, such as grades, are in encrypted files and I can’t recall the passwords. She’s having to resort to the old paper grade book and trying to decipher my grading system. With any luck it will all come back and I can help her as well as get the pictures posted.
Chin up, Masq! It will get better and I’m sure that you did fine on your test. You don’t seem to be the kind to give up on anything you try. I’m looking forward to beginning our friendly debates.
PN, Masq and others, look out! I’m baaack!!!!!!!
I do look forward to our friendly debates. ^_^-
…I guess what really hurts most about his death is how grandmother is treating us… But that’s another story…
It was supposedly a peaceful death… but the details were… the stuff of nightmares… I hope to never go through that again.
I passed my written part of my exam. ^_^- Now I’m just waiting to see how I did on the practical (hands on) part. I hope it went well… vv() My mannican head kept falling off the table and I kept having to put it back on… it was so embarrassing…
But asside from all that…
What are we going to debate first?
Hi Masq,
Glad to hear from you. I understand completely what you are saying about the death of your grandfather. Death of a loved one is never easy to bear and it sometimes brings out a side of someone that we don’t understand. Hopefully things with your grandmother will get better.
The details of someone’s passing are usually never pleasant, even though the doctors say that it was peaceful. I was told the same thing when my wife died in a car accident. They told me that she didn’t suffer, that she didn’t see it coming … but when the accident details were revealed to me they were the stuff of nightmares. It was something that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Kim was only three months old at the time and doesn’t even have the luxury of memories of her mom. There are precious few photos as we though that we had all of the time in the world. No one, I mean no one should ever have to go through anything like it more than once in their lives, but we aren’t given that choice.
Wow! Passing the first part of state boards is impressive. I know that you’ll do fine on the practical portion. I told you, you seem like the type that does what she sets her mind to. You’re too much like my girl. Personally, I got physically ill at my state boards to get my teaching credentials. There’s not much that’s more embarrassing than barfing all over the place. Yup! That was me!!
As for our next debate I’m kind of hoping for an interesting topic from PN. I know he’s got to be busy getting ready for the LSAT! Knock ‘em dead PN! Kim is going nuts getting back into the swing of things after returning to school. She has a major exam this week, so we probably won’t hear much from her until after Wednesday.
I’m still rather fond of my theory about Wendy being the “wretched child” that Hoffman is referring to in his diary entries. The Hoffman Boss-Battle (part 1) was the start of it all and I’ve been itching to get back to my console to replay the game. Six weeks here is driving me nuts and they tell me that I get to leave at around 11 a.m. tomorrow. We’ll see!
I’m getting ready, it’s time for the fun to begin again!!!!
^^() I’m afraid I won’t be doing a rebuttal to that theory as i share your view.
I try not to let stuff like this get to me… I mean I know it sounds cold… but after all the funerals I’ve been to… My great grandpa… three great grandmothers… my aunt… my mother’s best friend three weeks after my aunt… my great uncle… and now my grandfather… I’ve seen what the devastation does… accidents everywhere from the breathing machine turning off on “it’s own” to colon cancer to a CB antennea falling across a power line to a horrible one car accident that was thought by some to be suicide to dying peacefully at home… The things I’ve learned about life and death are that you can’t escape either. You’re born… you live a little while… you die… and you don’t really have any control over it. So… I know I sound like a heartless bitch… but the only time I cried this weekend was when we were saying goodbye for the last time. And even then, I only allowed myself as few tears as could get past my defenses… I don’t like to cry. At all. I counted how many tears I had. Five. I then busied myself with my younger cousin, Clayton, who was only eight and Grandpa’s first great grandson. It occured to me long ago… there’s no point in spending endless amounts of energy grieving. Life is too short to begin with. The people around me are completing their parts in the circle. I must do the same. I never really feel like they are gone anyway.
I suppose I”m strange… I mean… I’ve never heard anyone else say it that way… But then… I’ve survived many “accidents” as well as seen people die from them… I’ve nearly drowned because my life jacket pushed me up under a log in a river many people had drowned in because of the currents… I’ve nearly been flattened by a grain truck that came through my college bus window… nearly run over by a dump truck that wasn’t watching where they were going on the way to the school bus… but every time… stuff happens… When I was as young as 11 I had fears of the world ending and as young as 4 I was afraid of dying… but slowly… I’ve come to realize… I’m going to die. Someday, somewhere, somehow I will meet an end, the same as everyone else around me. When I was younger… it was scarey… but it’s not like I’m the only one. Even Jesus died. I guess I find comfort in that.
Someday…I will die. But that day is not today. And when that day comes, there is nothing I could do about it anyway. Just know… I was glad to be here for the time I was allowed and I understand that life has good things and bad things, pain and pleasure, hope and fear. But after this life… I will be whole and perfect. So grief is the last thing I want you to feel.
…I need to shut up… vv()
^_^- I took the practical last Monday. I’m waiting for those results… but the written I took on Friday and I found out how I did on it right away. So now I’m just trying to decide where I want to work to start out…
And yeah! ^_^- I can’t wait for the fun either!
vv() That was me, btw…
It’s ALIVE!!! ALIIIVE!!!! I’m free at last to wander around in my home!! They sprung me this a.m. and it feels wonderful! You don’t realize how much you miss home until you’ve been away for a while and are helpless to return. I feel (kind of) independent again although the visitors kind of tired me. My parents had to chase everyone out so that I could get some rest.
I made my way back into the workshop a little while ago and surveyed the model. A light coat of dust covers the horizontal surfaces and a spider made his home in the foyer (he was evicted). As I stood there and looked at it I suddenly understood how close I came to never getting to finish it! I guess that I was fortunate that at the time of my attack that I was on the phone to my neighbor who is, of all things, an EMT. He rushed over here and basically saved my life.
I’ve been told that without his intervention that I wouldn’t have survived.
Kim called me a short time ago and was extremely happy when I answered. It’s going to free her mind so she can get truly back into the swing of school. She wants to post later this week after she gets through a major exam. All of her attention is focused on that right now.
I had forgotten, Masq, that you shared my theory about Wendy. I really feel that Hoffman said it when he wrote “the trouble all started when that wretched child arrived”. Jennifer’s arrival seems to take place AFTER the RCA came about and I wouldn’t think her arrival could possibly be a catalyst for such a society to form. I DO believe that Jennifer was intended to rule at Wendy’s side as the Prince, Joshua and that Brown got into the way of those plans. As punishment for her “infidelity” she was pushed down to being a “lower class” that had to sacrifice something she loved to be accepted.
Hoffman was already in an interesting position as he tried to be a good teacher while attempting to control increasingly psychotic students while possibly having an affair with one of those students. He was bound to lose and was in an increasingly unstable situation. Wendy, through the use of the Stray Dog stories, was running the show while keeping the others under control and the blood off of her hands. She had also found a way to control Gregory who was teetering on the edge of complete insanity by pretending to be Joshua.
As I said in a previous post, we are never told when Wendy arrived at the orphanage. We are also never told when the “trouble” started and when Jennifer arrived in relation to the start of the trouble. Hoffman’s distraction with Clara only perpetuated the problems as he was busy trying to prevent his secret from going public.
Does anyone else have a take on this matter? I’d love to hear contradicting points of view.
I’m trying to remember where it was but someone gave what PN called “good points” as to why Jennifer was the “Wretched Girl”. Unfortunately… I’ll have to dig it up… vv()
But… I believe… it was one of the posts about Hoffman…although I may be mistaken…
Probably you are referring, Masq, to comment # 21 (Oct. 8 ) on “Document-based Time-line: After Jennifer Arrived at the Orphanage” by Capt. Melona.
Hi Everybody!
Wow, my brains feel like tapioca after that exam. Two hours of Hell! The best thing is that afterwards I looked at my notes and found that i had blown away the main essay question. You know, the one that can make or break a person on a test. I have an incredibly good feeling about the test!
Gee, I guess that the old guy snuck a couple of posts in on me and now I have to catch up! I am feeling much more like myself since he’s home now, I honestly feel like I can breath again. The rumor has basically boiled over and the one lasting effect is that the “friend” that started the rumor has more or less declared that she stands by her statements and I refuse to speak with her. Thanks for the words of advice, Masq!
Okay, what did I miss? Something good? Something I can debate? Dad’s previous posts are no good to debate because we agree about Wendy.
We actually put her on a mock trial and presented evidence both ways at school (there is a huge following of the game here at school). Sorry Wendy, we convicted you! The “jury’ found her guilty of all counts and there were no dissenting votes. The conviction was unanimous!
By the same token, Gregory, was found innocent by reason of insanity. We decided that anyone who lost a child was likely to go a little nuts.
Hoffman was sentenced to life for his indiscretions with Clara. There was no other way to go! Too much evidence pointed to sexual abuse of children. Especially damning was his own entry stating “I gently took her to bed…” Unfortunately, he skipped town before the trial and cannot be found so was tried in absentia. Rumor has it that he was killed by a deranged individual who thinks he’s a dog. They’ll be auctioning off his dishes to pay for the trial.
Martha, we couldn’t find to try. Rumor has it that she is cleaning toilets at some school and calling the kids “Dirty Wretches.”
Diana and some of the RCA were committed for psychiatric evaluation for their totally skewed way of thinking.
Jennifer, well, Jennifer was committed as well. She is having issues with her past and was found to be a potential danger to herself and society as well. She kept muttering something about little gray people that she had to hack to death with an axe and other implements.
We had SO much fun with the mock trials. We kind of each played a part and at times had to defend our actions. I ended up being Jennifer and found myself explaining why I allowed my dog to be buried alive. Hard to explain except that I did it out of fear for my own life. Running around with an axe was a little more difficult to explain. I was even able to find (back before Daddy’s illness) a dress that I was able to alter to resemble Jennifer’s. A hunt at the second-hand store also rewarded me with a broach similar to the one in the game. Gaudy, and something that I won’t wear again. The rest of the group told me I looked a lot like Jennifer with my hair put up like hers, except that I’m more blonde than she is.
It was a neat way to blow off steam and put things in perspective. One of my friends husband is a lawyer and agreed to preside over the trial (he loves the game too) so that the evidence was properly presented. We got to testify when needed and the game gave us lots of evidence to use.
I understand that there is an online game going on and would love to get involved. Does anyone know where the post about it is?
~
Lost Orphan’s Daughter wrote:
That’s great! I’m glad that the game isn’t as over-looked and forgotten as I tend to think sometimes.
~
Lost Orphan’s Daughter wrote:
LOL ! Your recounting of it was fun too!
~
Lost Orphan’s Daughter wrote:
What were all of the counts? Does this mean everybody favored an “evil Wendy”?
~
Lost Orphan’s Daughter wrote:
See comment #13 to “I am a Wikipedia Reference for Rule of Rose!”
^_^- I’ll be waiting for you there!
I’m on that site kind of goofing around. It’s not all in all efficient… half of the players are half way around the globe… ^^() But when you can sqeeze in…
I for one would be afraid to make my own site like that because there wouldn’t be many people there… ^^()
Actually I’ll answer your questions about the conviction of Wendy in reverse.
We had a group of students who had never played the game at the party. They served as the jury for everyone tried. The judge read them basically the same rules that a real court would hear before seating them. The only difference was that they knew we were constrained by time. No two or three days to deliberate. Most of them didn’t even know that the game existed so they (hopefully) didn’t have any preconceptions of the characters. We used only evidence that was available in the game. The prosecution and defense attorneys called witnesses and offered rebuttal.
The counts against her:
Unlawful imprisonment – Jennifer tied to the post
Release of a valued farm animal – The rabbit (circumstantial I know but it stuck)
Conspiracy to overthrow authority – gathering a groups of individuals with the sole intent of controlling the orphanage
Impersonating royalty
Cruelty to a mentally disturbed person (possibly more than one person considering Amanda’s mental state)
Cruelty to animals via threats to other individuals – Telling Jennifer to decide between Brown’s life and her own
Defacing orphanage property – drawing everywhere
Shirking duties while pretending to be ill yet being seen seemingly quite well
Making threats of death to another individual
There were other charges that were never brought to trial due to lack of even circumstantial evidence. If it had a shred of evidence we tried it. It really did take some convincing the jury not to acquit on the reason of insanity although she was committed to a mental asylum to serve part of her time (we tried to make the punishments as time appropriate as possible. They don’t call them asylums anymore.
We were a little sympathetic to her when the prosecuting attorney agreed to the committal rather than prison. She’s a VERY sick little kid! Kind of like McCauly Culkins character in “The Good Son”. We found her more severely disturbed than evil.
Yeah, I know some of the charges sound totally bogus, but I don’t have the charges sheet in front of me and I had to remember what they were as best as possible.
It was an INCREDIBLE amount of fun that actually brought a few of the jury members into our game circle. We’re considering a cos-play group that will take up the characters and give them our own spin.
Thanks for pointing me towards the online game!!
^_^- For those of you interested…
I got the results of my cosmetology test back!
^_____^-
Practical Exam – 87%
Written Exam – 94%
^________^-
Congratulations!
Way to Go!!!! Dad and I told you you would do fine!
I talked to Dad this morning and he sounded kind of tired. He’s trying to do too much and my grandparents and the home health aide have been on him about slowing down. He still thinks that he can do things as well as he used to. It scares me a little.
I forgot to mention what the “jury” decided about Clara. Clara was committed for psychiatric evaluation to determine how much damage was done by prolonged abuse. The jury never once considered any prison time for her.
Now, back to a thought that I had (scary, huh). In the “Funeral” we see a sort of assembly projecting over the rail of the upper hallway. It’s made up of chairs and a ladder and (I think) a rope. I know that the pictures that are fallling around Jennifer show her hanging, but couldn’t this have been the fate of Hoffman?
Perhaps instead of being killed by Stray Dog or running off, he hanged himself from something similar. Why would children build something like this if they hadn’t seen it before? Are we seeing a hint into the past events?
Perhaps, he hanged himself out of fear of discovery or guilt and Martha found him and disposed of the body before the orphans could see it. Perhaps this is what we are seeing when he appears in the boss battle. He’s wrapped in rope! Perhaps she buried him still wrapped in the rope that killed him, but Jennifer DID see him afterwards and this transferred itself to her dreams (or whatever the Hell they are). Then Martha and Clara left before anyone found out about the death. Plausible?
Sorry about the second post. This would also explain why he left his belongings, and he would have “left” the orphanage as he said he was going to.
Lost Orphan’s Daughter wrote:
I don’t think it is plausible.
Martha was writing letter after letter to the police just before she disappeared. If Martha had recently concealed a body, I don’t think that she would be trying to attract the attention of the police.
Oops! I had forgotten about Martha’s letters. Okay, I didn’t say that I was a lawyer in the trial, just a girl who was really wimpy at fighting. I wrote that post after a long day and I was getting ready to go to bed when I decided to post something I had been thinking about.
So what is that assembly projecting over the rail anyhow?????
Lost Orphan’s Daughter wrote:
and asks:
I think that it DOES represent a gallows, as you imply, but I think it is too flimsy to be a real, working gallows… I think that it was constructed as a warning… a threat. But a threat to Jennifer? Or a threat to Hoffman? As you point out, both ideas make sense.
Hi Everybody!!!
I’m feeling much more like myself. I got my exam results back and I blew it away with a 99%!! I wonder if I can do extra credit to make up what I missed? LOL!!
You know PN, I’d be more scared of climbing out there on that ladder than the actual noose! Terrified of heights!!!!
I had always kind of noticed the structure during that chapter and really paid attention to the cutscene at the start of the imp attack. Finally I saw the ladder behind Jennifer’s head and got the idea. I’m kind of slow that way.
I tried the other night to fight past the imps during the “Funeral” to get into the Closet Room. Never made it. Has anyone out there? I’m just curious about what we might see in the room at this time.
Talked to Dad tonight and he sounds much better. Finally getting the rest he needs and has made some progress towards recovering his memory. He recalled the password to the gradebook on his laptop. Hopefully he’ll remember the pass for the orphanage pictures so that we can get them posted when I go back home for the Thanksgiving holiday break.
Lost Orphan’s Daughter wrote:
I’ve looked, but I’ve never actually seen a rope or noose on that gallows.
~
Lost Orphan’s Daughter wrote:
I just now tried it (you had a very interesting idea there). It isn’t possible to pass through the open door at the beginning of the imp attack. It isn’t a matter of not being able to fight through, however. I had the knight rapier, and easily managed to kill everything, but the door itself doesn’t allow entrance.
Thanks for checking it out for me. I don’t know what I expected to be there, but thoughts of the Queen in the movie “Aliens” had me imagining a giant imp producing the little beasts from countless eggs came to my mind. It shows what watching too much television can do to your mind.
Maybe you can settle for observing what happens if you enter the airship library during the Goat Sisters chapter? Bring a good weapon.
Love it in here! Keeps me wanna reading every hypothesis/answers made here:)
Thanks for saying so, NAskikaga. It makes me feel good to hear it.
Dad’s spirits have fallen drastically because of this and he really wants to be back home for the upcoming weekend but I don’t know if he’ll make it. He’s been holding back on telling us about problems that he has had with shortness of breath as well as chest discomfort. I’m terrified!!!!!
He hasn’t been doing much since getting home the first time, but when he did it was hard to get him to take it easy. He DID finally agree that it was in his best interests to take a year’s leave of absence from the school where he teaches. That took a lot out of him as he loves to teach and the kids really miss him. I picked up several cards that they sent him when I was home before and could tell that he was really touched by their caring for him. He is frightened about the possibility (remote, but possible) of being forced to take a medical early retirement. I think that would probably do more harm than good.
He hasn’t felt much like posting the last few days and I’ve been so consumed with concern about him and everything going on here at school that I haven’t been able to get to the keyboard to do much at all.
The doctors want to keep him until he shows improvement as they are also worried about the possibilty of pnuemonia. He likes to go outside without a coat and just can’t get past that habit. He also has resented the home health aide that looks in on him three times a day. My grandparents have told me that his demeanor has taken an increasingly irritable tone. Hopefully, he’ll get back to himself soon so he can get back to the things that he loves.
I’ll keep you all posted!
Sorry to hear he had to return to the hospital. Wishing him speedy recovery.
Tell him to take it easy for me or I’ll come visit him and bring my friend Mr. Ductape.
^_^-
Tell him we miss him and to get well soon. I know being stuck inside when you wanna go and see your 30 adoptive kids isn’t exactly “I’m Mr. Sunshine” attitude maker but let him know that the sooner he rests the sooner he could do stuff!
I’ll be sure to make certain that my grandparents print off this page so he can see your well wishes. He’ll love it!!
I spoke with them earlier and he has shown improvement with the medications that he is receiving. He always used to tell ME to wear a coat outside. Now I guess it’s my turn to remind him. The doctor really is leaning on him hard to take it easy and to let people help him until he’s fully recovered. He’s just that way. They impressed upon him that his other recourse is another month plus stay in the hospital, I don’t think he’ll vote for that.
Gee, Mr. Ductape. I never thought about that one to keep him in line. It’s amazing how a parent can tell their child to behave and then forget their own rules!
When I spoke to him today he let me in on a secret. Work HAS progressed on the imps for the orphanage. Evidently he assembled them and they are waiting for the smocks which my grandmother had made for them. I had seen the parts for them and they look super, I just can’t wait to see them put together. I saw parts for about 12 of the regular imps and 2 of the mouse imps. He has molds for the parts so he can make more in short order. One was really interesting acording to him. It’s got a “bright red crayon” to designate it as the tour guide. He has also apparently made progress on the rabbit imps. Dad wanted me to let you all know that the project is inderway again, just not very quickly. I was made aware that photos of the imps have been taken and are on his digital camera. Evidently, when I upload the pictures he has taken from his camera and computer (once he realls the password) there will be several folders of photos for everyone to see.
My own plate is full right now as we are in the midst of preparations for the Christmas Concert that we have every year. The public pays big to see the students here at Juilliard perform, one of the major cash influxes for the school. I get a solo performance and I can just see myself blowing it in front of hundreds, if not thousands, of people. Real confidence builder!! All I have to do is get throughthe rest of this year and all of next and I’m done. It still seems so far away.
Our group has met a few times to plan out our cos-play. It’s amazing to see so many people planning such a simple thing.
Thanks again for the well wishes for Dad. It means a lot!!